Manage topics

Scenario

In this lab, you will:

Manage existing topics
Create and edit topics by using natural language
Create a topic manually by using trigger phrases

What you will learn

How to configure copilot topics

High-level lab steps

Delete the sample topics
Disable topics
Create new and edit topics with natural language
Create a new topic and add trigger phrases

Prerequisites

Must have completed Lab 1: Build an initial copilot

Detailed steps

Exercise 1 - Remove topics

In this exercise, you will remove topics in a copilot.

Task 1.1 – Delete sample topics

Navigate to the Microsoft Copilot Studio portal https://copilotstudio.microsoft.com and ensure you are in the appropriate environment.
Select the Test button in the upper-right of the screen to close the testing panel if the panel is open.
Select Copilots from the left navigation pane.
Select the copilot you created in the previous lab.
Select the Topics tab.
Select the three dots next to the Lesson 1 topic and select Delete.
Select Delete.
Repeat the delete for Lesson 2 and Lesson 3.

Task 1.2 – Disable topics

Select the Topics tab.
Toggle Enabled to Off for the Start Over topic.

Exercise 2 - Create topics with natural language

In this exercise, you will create topics in a copilot and add trigger phrases.

Task 2.1 – Add a topic using copilot

Navigate to the Microsoft Copilot Studio portal https://copilotstudio.microsoft.com and ensure you are in the appropriate environment.
Select Copilots from the left navigation pane.
Select the copilot you created in the previous lab.
Select the Topics tab.
Select Add a topic and select Create from decription with Copilot.
A new window appears asking you to Name your topic and provide a description in the Create a topic to… text field.
In the Name your topic text box, enter Customer Details.
In the Create a topic to… text box, enter Ask the customer for their name and email address.
Select Create.
Select Save.

Task 2.2 – Update nodes with natural language

If the Edit with copilot pane is not shown on the right-hand side of the screen, select the Copilot icon in the upper part of the authoring canvas.
Select the second question node, What is your email address?
In the Edit with Copilot panel, in the What do you want to do? field, enter the following text:

Update the message in this question node to say thank you to the Name variable from the previous node and then proceed to ask the email address question.
Select Update.

[!NOTE] The message should be updated to include the Name variable from the message node before it.
Select Save.

Task 2.3 – Add nodes with natural language

In addition to adding updating existing nodes, you can use Copilot to add new ones.

Make sure that no node is selected by clicking in the empty space around the nodes.
In the Edit with Copilot panel, in the What do you want to do? field, enter the following text:

Summarize the information collected in an adaptive card
Select Update.
A message node with an Adaptive Card is added to the end of the topic.

Select the Media box in the Adaptive Card. The Adaptive Card properties should appear on the right of the screen.

Screenshot of the Adaptive Card properties.

Your Adaptive Card formula should look similar to the one above. If it doesn’t, then you can copy and paste in the formula below:

 {
 type: "AdaptiveCard", 
     body: 
     [
         {
             type: "TextBlock",
             size: "Medium",
             weight: "Bolder",
             text: "Summary"    
         },
         {
             type: "FactSet",
             facts: 
             [
                 {
                     title: "Full Name",
                     value: Text(Topic.Name)
                 },
                 {
                     title: "Email Address",
                     value: Text(Topic.EmailAddress)
                 }
             ]
         },
         {
             type: "TextBlock",
             text: "Thank you for providing the information."
         }
     ]
 }

Opening the Adaptive Card properties closes the Edit with Copilot panel; therefore, you need to select the Copilot icon to reopen it.
Make sure that no node is selected by clicking in the empty space around the nodes.
In the What do you want to do? field, enter the following text:

Add a new multiple choice question to prompt the user if the details are correct with two options Yes or No
Select Update.
A new question node is added to the end of the topic with options for the user to select.
Select Save.

Task 2.4 - Test the topic

Select the Test button in the upper-right of the screen to close the testing panel if the panel is open.
Select the Start a new conversation icon at the top of the testing panel.
In the Aska question or describe what you need text box, enter Customer information.
Enter your name and email address.
Select Yes.

Exercise 3 - Author topics manually

Topics can be created manually by adding trigger phrases.

Task 3.1 - Create a topic from blank

Select the Topics tab.
Select Add a topic and select Create from blank.
Select the Details icon to open the Topic details dialog.
In the Name field, enter the following text:

Book a Real Estate Showing
In the Display Name field, enter the following text:

Book
In the Description field, enter the following text:

Select the property and requested date and create a booking request
Select Save.
Select the Details icon to close the Topic details dialog.

Task 3.2 - Add trigger phrases

Select Edit under Phrases in the Trigger.
Enter I want to book a real estate showing under Add Phrases and select the + icon.
Enter Schedule a real estate showing under Add Phrases and select the + icon.
Enter Arrange the viewing for a real estate property under Add Phrases and select the + icon.
Enter Set up an appointment to view a house under Add Phrases and select the + icon.
Enter Plan a property viewing under Add Phrases and select the + icon.
Select Save.